Help for treestand shooting

[D.J. Carr]

2 weeks ago I was set, shooting great from 0-20 yrds even stretching back to 22 23.... I was pleased, actually pumped total confidence!

Then I started shooting from a tree, and everything changed. I know the principle of bending at the waist and making sure I hit my anchor points and not letting myself creep.... but I'm only confident out to 15 yrds, past that my groups open up too much to be confident to shoot at a deer ethically.  And worse even when I get back on the ground my shooting from 15-20 isn't much better. I don't know what happened.

I know part of it is mental, I need to get that confidence back, but I need to shoot better to get that confidence back.

Any helpful hints on shooting out of a tree stand.  This is my first year hunting trad., and shooting a recurve out of a treestand is a lot more difficult then a wheel bow.

[ChiefStingingArrow]

I would try shooting five feet of the ground until you get your shots back and then go up ten feet and so on....It is hard sometimes to beat the mental game. Good luck

[Tony Z]

It's just like anything else. PRACTICE. I struggled a little as well when I went from a 34 inch compound to a 60 inch recurve. 15 yards is about the average shot where I hunt. But of course we all want to shoot well at all reasonable distances. Keep those 15 yard groups tight and try moving the target back 5 yards at a time till you are satisfied. Stand shooting with a recurve was a challenge at times but with practice you'll be fine. Sounds like you know what to do as far as form. October 1st is coming, good luck. TonyZ.

[The Night Stalker]

Tony has it, practice.  Shoot some golf balls with judo's, leaves,etc.  Then a deer target to figure out the angles. Take some steep shots.  My sight picture is much better from an elevated position than it is on flat ground.

[goingoldskool]

I kind of had the same problem...  found out I was locking my legs and bending at the waist.  Not good for me, but once I bent my knees and bent at the waist, I was back on target.

Just a thought.

shoot straight!
Rodd

[The Night Stalker]

I think Rick Welch has an excellent section on his DVD if you have that shooting style.  I have been shooting that same way from a tree for 37 yrs.

[reddogge]

goingoldschool has it down pretty good. I bend my knees and at the waist so it feels like I'm leaning in towards the target and shoot normally. Practice makes perfect.